A Gathering in Worship Offered by the People of the Church of Christ, Union
Baptism of Jesus January 13, 2013
Meditation
Console yourself: You would not be seeking me if you had not already found me.
— Blaise Pascal
Gathering to Worship
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude Adagio (from Fantaisie, op. 16) Cesar Franck
¨ Call to Worship
One: Come, let us gather to worship God singing: “Glory!”
All: The voice of God is heard throughout all creation!
One: Come, let us gather to worship God saying: “Glory!”
All: The voice of God is heard in the raging storms, the shaking earth and wild winds, bringing fear and anxiety.
One: Come, let us gather to worship God praying: “Glory!”
All: The voice of God is also heard in the stillness and peace of God’s loving and welcoming presence amongst us; come, let us worship and glorify our Glorious God. Amen.
© 2012 Joan Stott – “The Timeless Psalms” RCL Psalm Year B, used with permission.
¨ Opening Hymn #285 Black O Holy Dove of God Descending O Holy Dove
¨ Prayer of Approach and Confession
One: Today is the day that we remember our great Teacher, Jesus, walking into troubled waters so that he might help the poor and the outcast.
All: Today is the day we are called to do likewise.
One: Today is a day that we recognize the many ways we have fallen short, turned in the wrong direction, stepped away from the troubled waters and toward safer, drier land.
All: Today is a day for repentance, for turning back toward God.
One: Today is the day that we recall Jesus’ prayer after baptism, a prayer that led him to walk right into the fires of systemic oppression and persecution.
All: Today is the day that we come to be cleansed, that we, too might regain some of that courage.
One: We follow you, O God, even into the depth of the waters.
All: We follow you, O God, even into the depth of the Holy Spirit’s fire.
¨ Words of Assurance
One: Today is also the day, my friends, that we remember God’s response: the spirit descended like a dove, and a voice proclaimed, “You are my Beloved! With you I am well pleased.” And so God proclaims to us, today and every day!
All: Today is a day to give thanks!
¨ Passing the Peace of Christ
All who come to this sanctuary are welcome companions on this day. Please turn to those nearest you and greet them with words of peace.
Hearing the word
Anthem Spirit Truth, Pure Light of Love Robert J. Powell
Union Church Choir
Spirit Truth, pure light of Love, Guiding Light of God above; Make Your beacon ours; Inspire us to shine so all may know The radiance of the Spirit’s own revealing power. Sweet Wind, sweet Song of Love, Stirring Song of God above, make Your music ours; Excite us to sing so all may know The anthem of the Spirit’s own resounding power. Spirit Fire, fierce Breath of Love, Blazing Breath of God above. Make Your passion ours; Impel us to live so all may know The fervor of the Spirit’s own resplendent power. Carol McClure
Hebrew Scripture Lesson Isaiah 43:1-7 (p. 856)
The Lord has rescued the people.
Children’s Moment As the children return to their seats we sing: May God’s presence guard, protect and guide you. God bless you, God bless you. Our savior’s loving arms be ever ’round you. God bless you, God bless you.
Following Children’s Moment, child care for ages kindergarten & under is available in the Nursery, downstairs off the Community Room, and Children’s Church for kids ages 5-8 is available in Room 104. The activities provided acquaint the children with the structure of the regular service in a way that engages them and encourages their participation. Children’s Church is staffed by Anna Kate McWhorter, and parents who wish to accompany their children are very welcome.
Gospel Lesson Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (p. 1230)
The preaching of John the Baptist.
Sermon Baptism by Fire Rev. Rachel Small Stokes
Remembering God’s Love
Today with many other Christians, we celebrate a renewal of our Baptismal Vows, using both words and water. During the readings and music, a branch from a Christmas tree will be used to sprinkle water over the congregation. Like the rain, the grace of God falls on all people, whether baptized or not. We invite all who will to join in prayers for grace and wholeness, and all who will to recommit to service in the way of Jesus. All God’s children are beloved.
Ringing of the Peace Bell
The Union Church Peace Bell was created by Jeff Enge in honor of Union Church member Carl Eschbach (1904-1998). A twin bell hangs in Berea’s sister province in Kiyosato, Japan and is also rung in the hope of peace for all nations.
Waters of Blessing Litany
One: God calls us to the water to find a new way: a new grace, a new hope, a new faith, a new life.
All: God calls; we come.
One: Come to the water and let go of the outworn: outworn habits, outworn pains, outworn angers, outworn burdens.
All: God calls; we come.
One: God blesses the water and it heals us, cleans us, renews us refreshes us.
All: God blesses; we praise.
One: Come to the water and receive blessing, freedom, mercy, love.
All: God blesses; we praise.
One: Bless to us this water with your presence, Lord. Amen. Receive this water, gift of God, and hear for yourself how God names you: Beloved.
All: By the waters of baptismal grace we promise to love and serve God by following the Christ. We pray to boldly and creatively embody the life and ministry of Jesus by celebrating the transforming power of God, the compassion of Christ, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Asperges: Remembering and Receiving
Hymn #351 Black I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry Borning Cry
Our Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us;And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Offering Our Gifts
Offertory The Baptism of Christ (Preludio) Derek Healey
¨ Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God all creatures here below; Alleluia, alleluia! Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Walking Forward in Faith & Receiving New Members
Introduction and Invitation to Membership Rev. Rachel
Union Church is a vital and growing family of faith, a home to those committed to the way of Christ’s sacrificial love and service. All who feel led to join will be received in joy. Thanks be to God for these ministers among us.
¨ Questions of the Congregation and New Members
¨ Covenant of Welcome
And we, the members of this church, renewing our own covenant to God and to each other, do now heartily welcome you to our fellowship, promising to watch over you in love, and praying that you and we may be true witnesses for Christ, a light in the world, and continue to increase in usefulness and joy in his service.
¨ Closing Hymn #407 Black How Firm a Foundation Foundation
¨ Benediction Hymn Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Dennis
Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Postlude Voluntary (op.7, no. 9) John Stanley
_____________________________
¨ Those who wish to may stand
Young Adults and College Students — Progressive Dinner tonight! We’ll gather from 4-9pm today for a Progressive Dinner. We’ll meet at the church and travel to four different peoples’ homes, where we’ll have a course of a meal (appetizers, salads, main course, and desserts). At each house, we’ll also have a chance to experience a different kind of prayer (walking a labyrinth, dancing, art). It will be a great time to connect to other young folks and to experience new ways of entering the world of faith. As a bonus, we will travel together in style on the Berea Trolley!
Coffee & Fellowship in the Dialogue Center January 20 and 27! All are invited to stay after worship on January 20 and 27 and enjoy fellowship and coffee or juice in the Dialogue Center. This will also be an opportunity to make yourself a new name tag if you have lost or misplaced yours — but if it is gathering dust on your dresser at home, please bring it — or better yet — wear it to church. The Worship Board and Community Life and Growth Boards are simplifying the name tag process and hope that we can facilitate getting to know names as well as faces . The Dialogue Center is the room right behind the pulpit area (it looks BEAUTIFUL after the renovation). We’ll also be taking photos and updating information for the new Directory to be printed in February.
Wednesday Nite Live to Resume January 16 in the *NEW* Fellowship Hall The Community Life and Growth Board announces the return to our beloved Fellowship Hall for the first WNL of the New Year on January 16. We have had wonderful attendance and interesting programs during the fall in our borrowed space, but are very happy to be back home. The first program of the year will feature Debbonnaire Kovacs,
Faith Development Board member, who attended was a conference on forgiveness and reconciliation, given by Dr. Miroslav Volf of Harvard Divinity School.
We on the CL&G Board know that many of you will want to try out the new kitchen. So to accommodate all of you, we will reinstitute the practice of inviting volunteer cooks to prepare a meal. You will be reimbursed for the cost of the ingredients — moderation, please — and you will have the assistance of our regular WNL helper, Loriel Warren. We look forward to many sign-ups at our first WNL.
Come Celebrate the completion of our new Community Room with an evening dedicated to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. Songs, Poetry, Toasts, and a delicious Scottish Dinner await, complete with the redoubtable Haggis. All to benefit our upcoming Mission Trip to El Salvador. Friday, January 25, at 6:00 pm in the Union Church Community Room. Please contact the church office or Kevin Burke at 985-1144 to attend. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear/see Pastor Kent wax eloquent in brogue about a sheep’s stomach! The evening’s dinner is provided however if you wish to toast with other than water or coffee bring your favorite sparkling grape or apple juice. Donations will accepted with gladness throughout the evening.
Interested in the Mission Trip to El Salvador? The Mission Board invites you to review the info in the bulletin insert and give it some thought. Fill out the form and place it in an offering plate, along with your deposit of $100, and a delegation member will be in touch!
Parenting Sunday School Class Do you wish you could have more cooperation in your family? Do the challenging feelings of your children bring out your own challenging feelings? Do you want some practical tools to help you set limits or handle conflicts between siblings?
Join other parents who share the same struggles and joys in this class. Our guest leader is Schuy Roop of Growing Peaceful Families. She works with children as a Montessori teacher and approaches her parenting classes with a gentle compassion for both children and parents.
All classes will emphasize experiential learning and provide practical tools you can start to use in your own family setting right away. Sundays in January from 9:30-10:25 am, Union Church Please call Kim Kobersmith, 985-0185, with questions.
Get Ready to ShakeOut Mission and Service Board invites you to participate in “The ShakeOut.” Kentucky is earthquake territory so FEMA is organizing this drill on Feb 7 so we can all practice what to do. For details and resources go to www.shakeout.org/centralus.
Shake Your Soul! Kate Grigg is teaching Shake Your Soul: The Yoga of Dance on Fridays, January 11 – February 8 from 7:00-8:00 pm at Cedar Haven (925 W. Jefferson St) in Berea. Move your body from within in this expressive, empowering class. Appropriate for all levels of movement/dance experience and fitness. Special Offer! Attend 2 classes and the 3rd is free. Contact Kate at (708) 341-0916 or kate.grigg@yahoo.com.
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